The highlights are as follows: The mayor’s office basically says ‘bring it on, we wanted DiNapoli to begin with’ while at the same time suggesting that perhaps the Common Council should stay its own investigation at least until DiNapoli’s is done.

The council, which is expecting sworn testimony on the issue starting next month, seems little inclined to heed that request. In fact, Councilman Corey Ellis is adamant that the council not use DiNapoli’s audit as a reason to shirk its own investigative duties.

For record-keeping purposes, it’s worth noting that the other council member who did not sign the letter requesting DiNapoli’s intervention (other than Ellis…) was 11th Ward Councilman Glen Casey, according Council President Pro Tempore Richard Conti.

The reason why Casey didn’t sign was not immediately clear. Ellis said he was aware of the letter and believes he saw an early draft but couldn’t recall why he never signed it. But he added he doesn’t oppose DiNapoli’s audit so long as it doesn’t halt the council’s own inquiry.

DiNapoli’s office will begin its work next week and, according to a spokeswoman, hopes to be done in less than six months — faster than the typical municipal audit.

2 Responses

Once upon a time, before 1994 and in an Albany, N.Y., in a galaxy, now, far, far, away, the kind of political chicanery, depicted here, was viewed as giving New York’s Capitol City much of it’s legend, charm and entertainment value. During that period the “Albany Way” held forth much more appeal than the, more famous and heavy-handed, “Chicago Way”. The “Albany Way” was much lighter and more harmless.

Due, I think, to it’s low property taxes, relatively higher levels of public safety & civility as well as a charismatic cast of public officials and politicians of all stripes. Both in and out of office. With the “rumps” being as engaging as the “ascendants”. When an enjoyable time could be had by (almost) all. Even with the scuffles which, sometimes, took place in polling places and on election day where no one, except for their pride and clothing, was injured, torn or soiled.

But, $1 million, in lost revenue, is no small matter. Just goes to show: the costs associated with the “spoils system” in the U.S., in the 21st Century. Rewarding your political and economic “friends” while ignoring, taxing or punishing your opponents, now and at times, seems to have lost much it’s appeal. As well as it’s entertainment value. To the larger public, now, victimized by it.

My point(s):

1. Corruption (of all kinds) is what, now, drives higher taxes, violent criminality along with a cast of viciously incompetent (and increasingly expensive) political characters exhibiting levels of appeal which are, at best, most limited and, at times, disgustingly repellant.

2. This is what has, also, driven most of the decent middle-class people from wanting to participate in the political life of the city.

Causing many more of these same decent people to abandon the City of Albany, N.Y.. For it’s, relatively, safer suburbs. In some cases, relocating themselves and their families out-of-state. If only to follow their jobs, find other employment or a higher and safer quality of life. For themselves and a loved ones.

3. The current cast of characters: Be they Albany Common Council members, denizens of Albany City Hall or the New York State Assembly, Senate or Governor’s Office; offer little, in the way of either promising or delivering, real relief. Their potential, for continuing to make things much worse, remains undiminished.

It is interesting, as well, that N.Y.S. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli was “handpicked” by N.Y.S. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is a close political ally of, as yet undeclared, Albany Mayoral candidate Shawn Morris. Morris is expected to mount a Democrat(ic) primary election challenge to incumbent Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.

John Wellspeak, who is the husband of Shawn Morris, is employed as a top aide to N.Y.S. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Another close political ally to Morris is Albany County District Attorney David Soarse, who also came to the D.A.’s office, as an Assistant D.A., in 1997 (I think), at the behest of Silver.

It won’t be long before Albany County & City governments will fall under the control of N.Y.S. Assembly Democrats. Most of whom are from New York City. In much the same way as, from 1945-91, the oppressed nations of eastern Europe became “satellite states” which had to answer to the U.S.S.R., which controlled other parts of Eurasia from 1922-91. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union

To be further informed, please read the following Albany Times-Union blogs: